Stories

When public infrastructure projects encounter unexpected challenges, it’s easy for frustration to build. But as Loureiro has shown, the best outcomes emerge when designers and contractors collaborate from the start. Two recent municipal projects illustrate the value of integrated teamwork—and how early contractor involvement can improve outcomes for public infrastructure projects.

Project 1: Overcoming Unforeseen Challenges with Collaboration

On a recent culvert replacement project, Loureiro was contracted to replace an aging concrete culvert with a modern structure designed to improve roadway safety and stormwater management. While the project followed the traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery method, unforeseen conditions quickly surfaced.

Tight site constraints limited access, and the excavation plan outlined in the design proved difficult to execute. To complicate matters, the design was based on the assumption that the underlying soils were stable. Upon beginning excavation, Loureiro discovered unstable underlying soil conditions that posed significant safety concerns. These issues could have been identified and addressed during the design phase with a geotechnical assessment or test-pit exploration—an investment of just a few thousand dollars. However, design fees are often competitively bid, and owners may not realize the long-term cost implications of these assumptions. Contractors, on the other hand, understand that incorrect assumptions can lead to costly changes and even jeopardize the viability of the project. This is a key advantage of the Design-Build delivery method.

Despite these obstacles, Loureiro approached the situation collaboratively. Rather than pushing forward with a potentially unsafe plan, the team proposed a revised excavation method involving a designed support-of-excavation system better suited to the site conditions. Initially, the over $140,000 change order was rejected by the design engineer as a means-and-methods issue. Undeterred, Loureiro worked closely with the project owner and engineer to secure a contract adjustment that prioritized safety and constructability. Despite the added coordination, the project was completed on time—just in time for a major community event that required the roadway to be open. The end result was a high-quality, durable structure that will serve the community for years to come.

Project 2: Avoiding Costly Delays Through Communication

Another project presented similar challenges but with added complexity. In this case, utility conflicts created confusion around roles and responsibilities. The project’s design lacked clarity about which party was responsible for relocating existing utilities, resulting in delays that pushed the project dangerously close to winter conditions.

These conflicts—and the resulting schedule impacts—could have been avoided had Loureiro been involved early in the design process. Under a Design-Build model, Loureiro would have flagged these issues before budgets were finalized, giving the design team a chance to make necessary adjustments and avoid scope gaps.

Recognizing the risks of forcing an unrealistic schedule, Loureiro proactively worked with the project owner and design team to adjust the timeline. By waiting until spring, they were able to proceed safely and efficiently, preventing costly rework and ensuring the final structure met quality expectations.

Through open communication and collaboration, the team was also able to secure a fair contract adjustment to address increased costs caused by labor and material price escalations.

The Power of Early Collaboration

Both projects demonstrate the same important lesson: when designers and contractors collaborate early, public infrastructure projects are safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

Had these projects been delivered using the Design-Build method, the municipalities would have benefited from Loureiro’s field expertise during the design phase—avoiding costly unknowns, reducing scope changes, and improving the overall efficiency of the projects.

Loureiro’s Director of Operations, Jay LaForge, knows this firsthand.

“Too often, contractors are brought in too late to offer valuable insights. We see things in the field that aren’t always clear in 2D plans. When designers and contractors work together from the beginning, we can develop practical solutions that save time and money.”

Looking Forward

Public sector clients are often hesitant to shift away from traditional project delivery methods like Design-Bid-Build. But as these two municipal projects illustrate, alternative delivery methods such as Design-Build can unlock better outcomes by fostering early collaboration between designers and contractors.

By working together to address challenges before they become costly delays, teams can reduce project risks, improve construction quality, and ultimately deliver better infrastructure for communities.

To support this shift, Loureiro has developed a Design-Build template specifically for municipal infrastructure resiliency repair or replacement projects with anticipated construction costs between $500,000 and $5,000,000. This approach supports public bidding while avoiding many of the common pitfalls of Design-Bid-Build.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to our team—we’d be happy to share our template and talk with you about how to apply it to your next project.